House panel pushes for ‘Timbangan ng Bayan’ in all markets

MANILA – Timbangan ng Bayan centers would soon be established in all public and private markets nationwide as a measure proposing such has been endorsed for plenary approval at the House of Representatives.

During a virtual meeting on Friday, the House Committee on Trade and Industry approved an unnumbered substitute bill, which provides for the establishment of a Timbangan ng Bayan Center in all markets nationwide to protect consumers from deceptive and unfair sales acts and practices.

The substitute bill consolidated House Bill 3255 with HBs 4199, 4552, 5060, and 7340.

Timbangan ng Bayan Centers will provide consumers with an effective means of checking the accuracy of the weight and the quantity of the goods that they are buying.

Under the bill, a Timbangan ng Bayan Center shall be established in public and private markets, including flea markets, where instruments for determining weights and measures shall be open and accessible to anyone who wants to accurately weigh and measure the products they purchase.

One notable amendment in the substitute bill provides that the amount necessary for the initial implementation of the proposed law would be charged against the internal revenue allotment (IRA) of the local government units (LGUs).

For this purpose, the bill would amend Chapter 11 of Republic Act (RA) 7394 or the Consumer Act of the Philippines.

In her sponsorship speech, Bulacan Rep. Lorna Silverio, author of the bill, said the proposed Timbangan ng Bayan centers would enhance transparency for consumers and accountability of unscrupulous traders.

“I am privileged to sponsor this bill, which was a pet measure of former Speaker Gloria Macapagal- Arroyo. It is my fervent hope that it would be passed this 18th Congress,” Silverio said.

The bill provides that the safekeeping and maintenance of said instruments shall be under the control and supervision of the market supervisors.

The market supervisors shall keep a record of every product found to be underweight or substandard, and identify the erring establishment and its owner or manager.